The last systematic check-list of South African snakes was compiled by Boulenger (1910), when a total of 96 species was recorded. As a considerable number of forms have since been added to the original list and many nomenclatorial changes made, it was considered that a useful purpose could be served by the compilation of a new list to express the position as it exists at the present day. In the present list 138 species and subspecies (falling under 46 genera and seven families) are recognized, of which some 69 may be regarded as endemic, i.e. confined to Southern Africa. Of the remainder, 10 appear to have their centre of distribution in Southern Africa, but extend north of our limits, while 55 are intruders from the north, three are cosmopolitan and one species (of Sea-Snake) occasionally reaches our eastern seaboard from its centre of distribution in the eastern Indian Ocean. It may be noted that, for the purposes of this work, Southern Africa is taken to represent that part of the subcontinent lying south of a line bounded by the Zambesi River on the east and the Kunene River on the west. Furthermore, what was formerly known as Southern Rhodesia is now referred to as Rhodesia. Keywords: Checklist, Reptilia, Southern African snakes and Species identification key.